La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War (2023) Board Game

La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War is a board game that takes players into the world of organized crime in the 1920s. Designed by Maximilian Maria Thiel and published by Feuerland Spiele, this game allows players to experience the power struggles and intrigue of the Mafia as they compete to control various territories and assert their dominance.

Game Components of La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War

Player Boards: Each player has a unique board for managing actions and resources.

Influence Tokens: Used for selecting actions during the Planning phase.

Soldati (Soldiers): Represented by cubes, these are placed on the map to control areas.

Order Tokens: For supply and attack orders.

Conflict Cards: Include cards like Turncoat and Coward for resolving combat.

Map: A colorful map of 1980s Sicily, divided into regions.

Boats, Drug Labs, and Cars: Additional equipment that can be acquired.

Coins and Neutral Markers: For managing resources and neutral elements on the board.

Art and Components: Designed by Weberson Santiago, featuring a cubist art style and detailed miniatures like wooden cars and speedboats.

How To Setup La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War

Setting up the game involves preparing the map, distributing player boards, influence tokens, and initial resources. Each player selects a faction and places their starting soldiers and markers according to the rules. The game requires an organized setup to ensure all components are readily available for the planning and encounter phases.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Majority / Influence: Players compete to control regions on the map.

Area Movement: Soldiers and equipment are moved around the map to control areas.

Order Counters: Used to manage actions and resolve combat.

Worker Placement: Players place influence tokens to select actions.

Variable Player Powers: Each player has unique abilities and starting conditions.

Variable Set-up: Each game can start differently due to the setup rules.

Objective: The goal is for a team to control 6 “mandamenti” (regions) or for a single player to control 5 mandamenti. If no team achieves this by the end of four rounds, the team controlling the most mandamenti wins, with the Bronte region serving as a tiebreaker.

Player Experience

**La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War** offers a deeply engaging and strategic experience. The game is divided into Planning and Encounter phases, each with intricate mechanics that demand careful planning and execution. The planning phase involves selecting actions using influence tokens, while the encounter phase resolves these actions in a sequence that can be both thrilling and unpredictable. Players must navigate complex interactions, including hidden card play and area control, making each game highly interactive and challenging[5>.

Pros

Gorgeous Production: The game features beautiful, cubist artwork and high-quality components.

Ingenious Worker Placement Mechanic: The planning phase system is praised for its complexity and strategic depth.

Clever Conflict Resolution: The use of Conflict Cards adds a layer of strategy and mind games to combat.

High Replayability: The game rewards multiple plays due to its variable setup and complex interactions.

Cons

Long Playtime: Each game can take 90-180 minutes, requiring a significant time commitment.

Complex Rules: The game has a steep learning curve and may not be suitable for casual gamers.

High Interaction: Plans can be easily disrupted, which may frustrate players who prefer more predictable gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War

This game is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategies and deep gameplay mechanics. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate area control, worker placement, and variable player powers. However, it may not be the best fit for those looking for a quick or casual gaming experience due to its lengthy playtime and complex rules. If you’re ready to dive into a game that demands strategy, planning, and a bit of luck, **La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War** is an excellent choice.

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